Senior School | Monday, 1 December, 9.00am

https://connect.tara.nsw.edu.au/news/2508?ref=search

Years 3 - 6 | Tuesday, 2 December, 9.00am

https://connect.tara.nsw.edu.au/news/2453?ref=search

ELC - Year 2 | Wednesday, 3 December, 11.00am

https://connect.tara.nsw.edu.au/news/2455?ref=search

Michelle | Year 6

The theme for this year’s PYP Exhibition was “It takes one spark to start a fire”. For our exhibition we created an issue or central idea which we then researched. I inquired into how digital technology changes health and relationships of young children. We have spent the past 6 weeks researching about our issue with questions we have formed.

An important part of Exhibition is taking action. My action involves sharing with the school community through Tara News. I’m here to inform you about possible dangers online, pros and cons of online activity and some tips to help you and others stay safe online. Reading this could help change our everyday lives to help and benefit us.

Find out more, by clicking the link below:

The word frankincense used to conjure up all kinds of images for me. Christmas yes, Wise-men in particular, or small children playing wise-men, walking down the aisle of the church to bring their “gifts to Jesus”. But also far off lands, stories of adventurers, horses, thieves, rubies all playing out on vast deserts by moonlight. The mere idea of frankincense was something that ignited a spark of imagination, it was so far removed from everyday life.

Of course I had sung the carol, I knew that frankincense was offered to “deity nigh” a gift to symbolise that Jesus was God, just as the gold told us of Jesus’ kingship and myrrh that he was to die. I knew this, but all my knowledge of frankincense was theoretical and fantastical.

That was until in 2014 I lived in Ethiopia for six months. Frankincense is everywhere in Ethiopia; an integral part of the thrice daily coffee ceremony. The scent of burning frankincense permeates life in Addis, as you walk down the street, in shopping centres, in restaurants. Where there are people, there is the scent of frankincense.

For me, it was a new way to remember that God came down into this world, not theoretical but no less phenomenal. A God who walked down the street, who shopped, who ate and who dwelt among the people he created. A God who had been remoter than a fairy-story to a young Australian child was the God who became incarnate. 

At Christmas we celebrate this incarnation. Not a remote God, not a far-off God and not a theoretical God, but a God who dwells with his people. A God who entered the world, though we had minds that could not grasp at him and who transforms the everyday with his presence. And though I live in this world, which is so often hurt and broken, it holds the precious news of transcendence, a transcendence seen in our everyday. I see it in the vibrance of a Sydney sunset, in the joy of a day at the beach in January, in the good meals shared together all across the Summer and particularly in the Bible's reminder that at Christmas, God was born into the world. In all these things I see transcendence, and the power of grace; for my God is not absent from this world.

From Friday 14 to Sunday 16 November, the Tara Dads Club Camp brought together more than 200 dads and daughters for a weekend filled with fun, connection, and unforgettable memories. Whether families pitched tents, settled into cabins, or relaxed in glamping tents, caravans, and motorhomes, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and community spirit from the moment everyone arrived. 

Friday – A Fantastic Start 

With most of the setup completed on Thursday, families began arriving from 4pm to establish their own spaces. By late afternoon, the aromas of a delicious Lebanese BBQ filled the campsite. A heartfelt thank you to our Lebanese community for their generosity and the incredible flavours that delighted everyone. 

The evening entertainment was a standout, with Joe Jabbour performing live and getting both dads and daughters singing and dancing. By 9pm, the girls were tucked into bed while the dads enjoyed a few more hours of camaraderie around the campsite, sharing laughs and stories well into the night. 

It was the perfect beginning to a wonderful weekend. 

Saturday – Activities, Laughter & Non-Stop Fun 

After a classic bacon-and-egg breakfast, campers were joined by our School Principal, Mrs Adele Ramsay, before diving into a full lineup of activities. 

A major highlight was the tie-dye activity, where the girls created vibrant shirts and pillowcases they proudly wore for the rest of the weekend. A huge thank you to Matt Kesby for bringing this idea to life — it was a huge hit! 

The fun continued throughout the day with: 

• Beach sports 
• Swimming at the beach, water park, slides, pool, and spa 
• Delicious wagyu hamburgers for lunch 
• Mr James Harrison arrived just in time for lunch, much to the girls’ excitement. 
• Joe Jabbour kept the energy high with live music from morning to night, joined at times by Eden Grace R and Cellena M. 
• Dinner was another highlight — a beautiful Asian meal generously prepared by our Asian community and extended families. Their kindness, effort, and delicious dishes were deeply appreciated. 
• The day ended with a magical outdoor movie night under the stars. 

Sunday – A Warm Farewell 

Families began packing up from around 7am, and after a relaxed breakfast together, the campsite was spotless by 10am thanks to everyone pitching in. Many families stayed a little longer, enjoying the beach and each other’s company before heading home. 

A Heartfelt Thank You 

A huge thank you to the leaders behind this incredible weekend: 

• Nicholas Ross – President, Tara Dads Club 
• James Raad – Vice President, Tara Dads Club 
• Camping Committee – Elie Maroun, Ralph Jabour, Matt Kesby, Leny Manassa, and Rocky Nematalla 

Your dedication, planning, and leadership made this year’s camp truly exceptional. 

We also extend our gratitude to: 

• Joe Sassine for donating all plates, cutlery, and essential supplies 
• Mohammed Dib (MD Fresh) for providing fruit and vegetables at a heavily discounted price 
• White Key Marketing for beautifully capturing the weekend’s special moments 
• Joe Jabbour for his fantastic entertainment all weekend 
• The Lebanese community for Friday night’s incredible BBQ 
• The Asian community and extended families for Saturday night’s delicious dinner 
• Every dad who contributed time, food, equipment, and hands-on help throughout the weekend 

Every aspect of the weekend — the food, the entertainment, the activities, and the teamwork — was a resounding success. The Tara Dads Club Camp continues to grow thanks to the passion and commitment of our dads, creating treasured memories for our girls and strengthening the bonds that make Tara such a special community. 

We’ve received nothing but positive feedback — and we’re already looking forward to next year’s camp!

It was wonderful to see so many of our community come together for Carols this year. Even though we activated our wet weather plan and moved into the Gymnasium, the joy and spirit of the evening shone through. It was lovely to see everyone celebrating together.

Our performers were a highlight of the evening. From our youngest band members and enthusiastic Stage 1 singers, right through to our confident senior school musicians and vocalists, every performance showcased the talent, hard work and commitment of our students. Their energy brought the Christmas spirit to life as we look ahead to Christmas and the end of the school year.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Tara Hub for their tremendous work in coordinating the event. Their planning and attention to detail ensured the entire evening ran smoothly. We are also very grateful to our wonderful Tara Dads Club for serving an outstanding BBQ. Feeding such a large crowd in a short space of time is no easy task, and they did so with enthusiasm and good humour. A special thank you goes to Rocky Nematalla for his generous donation of all the meat for the BBQ, your support is truly appreciated.

Thank you also to our stallholders. With homemade jams, craft items, candles, lucky dip bags, slushies and more, the markets brought a festive Christmas atmosphere and helped many with their last-minute shopping.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support throughout another amazing year at Tara. It has been a joy to share so many memorable moments as a community. We wish every family a safe, relaxing and joy-filled holiday season, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the new year.

Community Engagement Team

Throughout the year, Year 5 and Year 6 have been learning how to play improvised drama games known as Theatresports. After some very tough auditions a Tara Primary Theatresports Team was selected to represent our school in the Theatresports Schools Challenge where students from many different schools compete in front of a live audience. This year’s talented team has been highly successful. Firstly, they won their heat, then they won their finals and additionally they were crowned the regional winners. We would love to acknowledge the exceptional achievements of this team.

• Macy M (Year 6)
• Nataliya K (Year 5)
• Prasannakshi S (Year 5)
• Chloe T (Year 5)

The team were presented individual and a cup trophy at this week’s Junior School Awards Assembly.

Congratulations Girls!

Our ELC girls enjoyed a wonderful day of exploration and adventure during their excursion to Sydney Zoo on 12 November. From the moment they boarded the bus—delighted to be sitting up high with a view of everything around them—the excitement was contagious.

Their visit began with a hands-on lesson from a zoo educator, where the girls bravely touched a blue-tongue lizard named Neville and a shingleback lizard affectionately called Sleepy. They were also fascinated by a spiny leaf insect named Spike, watching closely as it gently moved along its branch.

One of the most unforgettable moments of the day came when the lion let out a mighty roar, making it very clear that lunchtime was approaching! The girls were captivated by the incredible animals they encountered throughout the zoo, especially favourites such as the giraffes, rhinos, hippos, elephants and, of course, the lions.

The aquarium section was another highlight, where the girls marveled at the crocodile and turtles gliding through the water. And for many, a special wish came true when they finally spotted a koala—an exciting moment that was met with big smiles and lots of enthusiasm.

It was a day filled with curiosity, courage and wonder, and our ELC girls returned to Tara with hearts full of joy and minds buzzing with new discoveries.

Mrs Paul | Junior School Teacher, Librarian

Tara is a member of K.O.A.L.A. which gives children a voice in the Australian book industry. The awards are an annual opportunity for girls and boys in New South Wales to nominate and vote on their favourite Australian books across four categories, picture books, fiction for younger readers, fiction for older readers and fiction for years 7 – 9. 19 year 5 TARA students attend the awards on Thursday the 13 November, as recognition for their service to the library as student librarians or for being regular attendees of the stage 3 book club on Friday lunchtimes.   

This is what they had to say about the experience: 

“I enjoyed when I asked most of the authors and illustrators to sign my bag they said yes. It was the best excursion ever!!!” – Hannah, 5 Alex 

“The KOALA awards was the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. My favourite part was having all my books signed, meeting all the exceptional authors and sitting through the sessions where we found out all the winners.” – Harper, 5 Agatha 

“I had the best time meeting my fav authors. I am very thankful for going. This was an amazing experience.” – Suhaavi, 5 Annie 

“Today I had a blast at the K.O.A.L.A. awards. My favourite part was watching some of my favourite authors receive honours and awards.” – Neve, 5 Agatha 

“I was so privileged to go to the K.O.A.L.A. awards. My favourite thing was going around getting some of my favourite authors to sign my books and bag.” – Sarah, 5 Alex 

“Today we went to the city and saw famous Australian authors at K.O.A.L.A.. My favourite part was going around to the authors and getting my books and bag signed. I would definitely recommend other young readers to try and go there!” – Millie, 5 Alex 

“The K.O.A.L.A. awards were spectacular! I loved talking to the authors and illustrators and the performance where St. Andrew’s demonstrated different picture books was great!” – Erin, 5 Alex 

“I loved the K.O.A.L.A. awards so much I can’t choose a favourite part because I loved it all.” – Aanya, 5 Annie 

“It was definitely the best experience meeting the authors and getting so inspired. I love that the school it was hosted at, put on a fun play. An awesome and fun excursion.” – Eve, 5 Alex 

“I really enjoyed being able to announce the Honour books for the Older readers category and I loved meeting many authors in person. It was an amazing opportunity.” – Audrey, 5 Agatha 

“I loved getting the signatures even though it was crowded and going on the bus because it was nice meeting the authors and illustrators and I liked the free time on the bus.” – Alisa, 5 Annie 

“My favourite things at the K.O.A.L.A. awards was everything but if I had to choose it would have been meeting the authors. I liked meeting the authors because they signed my books and bag and I got the have a conversation with them.” – Erin, 5 Alex 

“I enjoyed presenting the Honour books for the Older readers with Audrey.” – Emma, 5 Annie 

“What I loved about the K.O.A.L.A. awards was meeting the amazing authors, the mini play and the whole amazing experience.” – Rebekah, 5 Agatha 

“I loved everything about the K.O.A.L.A. awards but if I had to choose 1 thing, it would be listening to and watching the play they put on about the shortlisted picture books.” – Saisha, 5 Annie 

“The K.O.A.L.A. awards were amazing! We had so much fun. My favourite part was going around to all the authors and talking about their writing journeys and getting their autographs!” - Rivana, 5 Agatha 

“What I loved most was the fact that we got to meet some of the most loved authors. I also loved that we got to watch a mini play and find out who won.” – Amelia, 5 Agatha 

“When the author said to me did you want to get that signed and I said yes and she did it.” – Esra, 5 Annie 

“At the K.O.A.L.A. awards I truly enjoyed meeting my favourite authors and getting their signature!” – Maddie, 5 Agatha 

Bella | 6 Melody

In early June 2025, Miss Chapman asked 6 Melody (our Year 6 class) if we were interested in being pen pals/friends to children living in Melbourne, Victoria. The Melbourne kids are students of Miss Chapman’s friend, Jamila, who is also a teacher (of a Year 5 class in a public school) at Kororoit Creek Primary School. ‘6 Melody’, as almost any other class would, responded with an enthusiastic “YES!".  After a while, we received our pen pals’ names, and straight away we got to work on writing to our new friends.

We began by introducing ourselves to the pen pal we were matched with, followed by sharing some background information about ourselves including interests, hobbies, Sydney-slang terms (that are different to those used in Melbourne), school subjects, and some brief information about our friendships and family lives. Of course, we have learned in Year 5 and 6 how to stay safe when communicating with people we don’t know yet, so we knew not to share personal contact information, and Miss Chapman sent our letters for us.

Our entire class enjoyed this contact with other students across Australia and look forward to continuing this communication so that we learn even more about our similarities and differences with peers from different backgrounds. We found it quite funny that in Sydney the hand game ‘scissors, paper, rock’ is called ‘rock, paper, scissors’ in Melbourne. Surprisingly, students in some Melbourne schools address their teachers by their teacher’s first name! Everyone in our class was astonished, and we’re definitely not used to that!

On Thursday the 20th of November, Miss Chapman organised for us to contact our pen pals in a Microsoft Teams group call under her supervision. We (6 Melody) were very grateful for the opportunity. Most students expressed they were extremely anxious since they’ve never seen each other’s faces or voices in real life! After the video call, multiple year 6 Melody students said they were excited, though one student in particular admitted, “It was awkward at first, but it got better".

Overall, most students enjoyed the entire process, and all agreed it was a fantastic learning experience. One question that was asked to the students was if they’d ever want to make future pen pals with others. Sophia responded, “I would love to have new pen pals again in the future, since it’s fun and it gave us something to look forward to.” Connecting with ‘pen friends’ is an engaging activity that I would recommend. Our class has gained important knowledge about how to effectively make contact and communicate with new friends so that we can all share our experiences in a fun and interesting way. This has been a unique opportunity to hone our writing skills with a real audience.

This year, our Year 7 SRC is proudly supporting Hope in a Suitcase, a compassionate, volunteer-run organisation dedicated to showing children entering foster care that they are valued, supported, and seen. Too often, children in out-of-home care arrive with little more than the clothes they are wearing. Hope in a Suitcase aims to change that by providing each child with their own suitcase filled with essentials and comforts that they can take with them wherever their journey leads.

Each suitcase includes toiletries, pyjamas, a change of clothing, underwear, and for older girls, necessary sanitary items. Children also receive a soft toy or something to cuddle, a book to read, and creative items such as journals, colouring books, or pencils: small but meaningful items that offer reassurance and distraction during a difficult transition.

The demand for these suitcases increases every year, and our Year 7 SRC is committed to contributing to this important work. We warmly encourage students and families to sign up or donate items. Your generosity will help bring comfort, dignity, and a sense of hope to a child in need this Christmas.

Mr Mark Swainson | Asssistant Head of Social Science

We are proud to announce that students Miranda and Malaika in Year 11 were awarded Runner-Up in the prestigious Future Entrepreneur Challenge, held at Newcastle University last Friday.

The competition required participants to develop and present an innovative business concept. Miranda and Malaika impressed the judging panel with their proposal for “Neurospark”, a tutoring college dedicated to supporting students with ADHD through tailored study techniques designed to enhance learning outcomes.

Their efforts earned them a $1,000 prize, which they will share, along with an additional $500 awarded to the School.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Mr Saltos for his mentorship throughout the year, guiding the students in refining their ideas and presentation.

Diba and Selassie | Year 12

On Wednesday, 5 November, six Biology students had the opportunity to extend their learning beyond the classroom by attending an engaging seminar at the Westmead Institute of Medical Research. The session featured Dr Edward Holmes, a leading expert on the emergence and evolution of infectious diseases.

Dr Holmes delivered a captivating presentation on epidemiology and the vast, often uncharted, history of viruses. He revealed that while there are an estimated 8.7 million eukaryotic viruses on Earth, only 20 to 250 are known to infect humans, just 0.003 percent of the total. This striking statistic highlighted how much of the viral world remains undiscovered and how little we truly understand about it, as research has traditionally focused on those species affecting human health or the economy.

Students also learned how advances in genetic sequencing have revolutionised scientific understanding of viruses, reshaping ideas about their origins, diversity, and evolution. Dr Holmes discussed the growing concern over viruses jumping between species, a process known as spillover, which has been accelerated by the illegal trade of wildlife and the close contact between animals and humans in some live markets.

From well-known pathogens such as COVID-19 and influenza to the countless viruses that inhabit other species, from deep-sea fish to ancient microorganisms, students gained a deeper appreciation for the complexity and interconnectedness of life.

Overall, the seminar was an eye-opening and inspiring experience, allowing students to broaden their understanding of biology and the dynamic nature of the viral world.

Audrey | Social Justice Prefect

We are pleased to share that, after a significant pause, the Social Justice Committee has officially been re-established at Tara. As the Social Justice Prefect, I felt it was important to provide students with a meaningful space to engage thoughtfully with the world around them and consider how they can contribute to positive change. 

At the first meeting in Week 5, students spent time getting to know one another and defining the purpose of the committee. Their shared goal is to build a student led platform that encourages awareness, empathy, and informed action on important social justice issues within both our school and the broader community. 

Looking ahead to next term, the committee will be focusing on female empowerment and exploring the subtle yet ongoing forms of discrimination that women continue to face. Students will also begin publishing regular social justice news updates on Tara Connect, keeping the community informed and engaged. 

We look forward to seeing this renewed committee inspire thoughtful discussion and meaningful action among our students. 

It has been a busy and productive term for our Student Leadership Team, who have shown great initiative, creativity, and community spirit in their various roles. 

A major focus has been the planning of our upcoming World Vision Christmas Markets. The leaders have been working closely with staff and stallholders to ensure the event runs smoothly, supports student involvement, and raises meaningful funds for a worthy cause.

Several members of the team also visited the Junior School, where they worked alongside the Year 5 cohort as they begin preparing for their own leadership journey next year. It was wonderful to see our senior leaders offering guidance, encouragement, and practical support to younger students. 

In addition, the Leadership Team has successfully run two “Together Thursday” events, designed to bring students together and strengthen our sense of sisterhood. Last week’s highly competitive game of musical chairs was a crowd favourite, and this week’s “Slapper Mats” activity brought plenty of energy and laughter. These events continue to be a fun and inclusive way to build connection across the school. 

We are incredibly proud of the leadership, enthusiasm, and dedication our student leaders have shown throughout the term, and we look forward to seeing their impact continue to grow. 

Kyria | Community Prefect

We are delighted to share that on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, Tara will once again host its much loved and anticipated World Vision Christmas Markets. Planning is already well underway and the excitement is building across the school. Students are thoughtfully designing posters, creating products, and preparing festive displays for what promises to be our most successful Christmas Markets yet.

With more than 30 student run stalls on the day, families are encouraged to ensure their daughters bring cash with them so they can purchase from the wonderful range of items and activities on offer. All funds raised will be donated directly to World Vision, supporting their vital work with children, families, and communities experiencing poverty and injustice. 

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the many students who volunteered to run a stall this year. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and generosity reflect the heart of our Tara community and the spirit of giving that this event celebrates. 

We look forward to a joyful and meaningful day at the 2025 Christmas Markets. 

Aquatic Staff would like to wish all our Swimming@Tara Families a Happy and safe Christmas, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2026!

Afternoon swimming program finishing up and starting back for 2026:

We will be finishing up on Friday 12 December and recommencing on Monday 12 January 2026!

Last week and this week we continue to have the ELC – Year 2 swim program, which it has been great to see the girls continue to grow and learn. The girls have been fantastic, and we have seen a lot of improvements. As we continue their swimming lessons this week, we will be having a fun safety day on Friday to finish the program off. 

On the last day, the girls will also get to take home with them a certificate of their achievements. We hope to see the girls continue this progress in the new year with our afternoon program or our holiday intensive program that is happening in January.  

Well done girls!

We have just completed our last safety week for this year. And once again it was such a fun and exciting week had by all students and some laughs as well!    

This safety week was all about “Float and survive”! It is about preserving their energy while waiting for rescue to arrive. 

Students also learnt the skills and knowledge that they need to be safe and have fun in and around the water. It develops essential safety skills and improves children’s knowledge of how to survive in the water if they fall into a pool, off the boat, into a river, dam, or any body of water. Skills such as safety jumps, survival strokes and other skills but most importantly to know how to be safe and have fun in and around the water.    

Christmas Twilight Race Night

What a fantastic evening we had celebrating our Learn to Swim Christmas Twilight Race Night! Swimmers from beginners through to Squads jumped in for friendly races, festive fun, and plenty of Christmas spirit.

Santa even made a special appearance and our favourite elves, Flipper and Paddles, were back spreading holiday magic poolside!

Thank you to all our swimmers, families, and coaches for making it such a joyful way to finish the year.

We will be having Holiday Intensives over the January school holidays for 2 weeks. We will be offering Private Lessons and group lessons available. Please contact swimming@tara.nsw.edu.au or contact reception on 8838 2699 to book in.     

Dates:

12th – 16th January &

19th – 23rd January   

Note: Our regular Learn to Swim lessons will continue during the holiday period. 

Our Carnival Prep Program is now open!  

With carnival season fast approaching, our coach (Peter) is here to help you get race-ready and perform at your peak.  

Dates:  

Wednesday 21st Jan 7.30am - 9.30am  

Friday 23rd Jan 7.30am - 9.30am  

It will be offered to the following levels: Dolphin, Advance & Squad students only. 

Active Kids and First Lap

We are now accepting Active Kids and First Lap vouchers. To use them in our program, please forward the details to swimming@tara.nsw.edu.au with your child’s details.    

Terms and Conditions:          

Please ensure your Direct Debt is up to date for payment on the 1st of every month.

Our amazing Level 3 & 4 Gymnasts who qualified for State Championships earlier in the year all performed beautifully at State Championships in October. Kayla (Year 4), Kaaya (Year 3), Ava (Year 3) and Mia (Year 3) achieved some amazing results at Level 3, with Kayla receiving a Gold medal ranking overall. Juliana (Year 4) competed Level 4 and achieved some outstanding scores. The improvements from these gymnasts throughout 2025 has been exceptional. We are so proud of the girls and their efforts at this tough competition.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE GYMNASTS!